Exterior Home Maintenance Glossary

Exterior maintenance has its own vocabulary, and a lot of it is borrowed from roofing, masonry and the trades. This page collects the words that show up again and again across the site so you can read any article, or listen to a contractor, without getting lost. Where a term has its own in-depth explainer, we have linked to it.

A

Algae. The flat black or dark-green staining commonly seen on roofs and shaded walls. It is not a plant with roots but a colony that feeds on moisture and airborne nutrients. See how to remove algae from exterior walls.

Aluminum gutter. The most common gutter material in the United States — lightweight, rust-proof and usually installed as a seamless run. See aluminium gutters.

Apron (gutter apron). A wide, bent metal flashing that carries water off the shingles and over the back edge of the gutter, preventing it from running behind the trough. See why water runs behind gutters.

Asphalt shingle. The granule-coated roofing material found on most American homes. As it ages it sheds granules, which collect in gutters. See asphalt shingles.

B

Bargeboard. A decorative or protective board fixed to the sloping edge (the rake or verge) of a gabled roof. Also called a vergeboard. Like the fascia, it is vulnerable to rot when water gets behind it.

C

Chimney cap. A metal cover fitted over the top of a flue to keep out rain, animals and debris while still letting smoke escape. Distinct from the crown beneath it.

Chimney crown. The sloped masonry or concrete slab that tops a chimney and sheds water away from the flue. Cracks in the crown are a common entry point for water. See how water gets in around a chimney.

Copper gutter. A premium gutter material prized for longevity and its weathered patina. See copper gutters.

D

Downspout. The vertical pipe that carries water from the gutter down to the ground and away from the house. See why downspouts keep clogging.

Downspout extension. An add-on at the base of a downspout that moves discharged water farther from the foundation. See downspout extensions.

Drip edge. A metal flashing along the roof edge that directs runoff into the gutter and keeps it from wicking back under the shingles onto the fascia. See what a drip edge is and why it matters.

E

Eaves. The lower edge of a roof that overhangs the wall — the part of the roof where the gutter is mounted and where the fascia and soffit meet.

Efflorescence. The white, powdery mineral residue left on brick, stucco or concrete when water passes through the material and evaporates, leaving salts behind. Cosmetic in itself but a sign that moisture is moving through the masonry.

F

Fascia. The horizontal board running along the roof edge that closes off the ends of the rafters and to which the gutter is usually attached. It is one of the parts most often damaged by overflowing gutters. See what causes fascia rot.

Fibre cement. A durable siding and trim material made from cement, sand and cellulose fiber. See fibre cement siding.

Flashing. Thin sheet metal installed at joints and transitions — around chimneys, in valleys, at the roof edge — to direct water away from vulnerable seams. Failed flashing is a leading cause of hidden leaks.

Freeze-thaw. The repeated cycle of water freezing, expanding and thawing that pries apart masonry, widens cracks and stresses gutters over a winter. See how snow and ice damage gutters.

G

Gutter guard. A screen, mesh or cover fitted over a gutter to keep out leaves and debris. Guards reduce cleaning frequency but do not eliminate it. See how gutter guards work and do gutter guards eliminate cleaning.

H

Half-round. A gutter profile shaped like a tube cut lengthwise, common on older and higher-end homes. The main alternative to the K-style profile.

Hanger. The bracket that fastens the gutter to the fascia. Loose or spaced-out hangers are a common cause of sagging. See loose gutter hangers.

I

Ice dam. A ridge of ice that forms at the roof edge when melting snow refreezes, trapping water that can back up under the shingles. Closely tied to attic warmth and blocked gutters.

K

K-style. The most common U.S. gutter profile — flat-backed with a decorative front resembling crown molding. Named from a standardized list of shapes, not the letter's outline.

M

Micro-mesh. A fine stainless screen gutter guard designed to block even small debris like shingle grit and pine needles. See micro-mesh vs screen gutter guards.

Mildew. A surface mold, usually gray or whitish, that grows in damp, shaded spots. Removed with gentle cleaning rather than pressure.

Moss. A true, rooted plant that forms thick green cushions on damp roofs and masonry. Because it holds water against the surface, it accelerates decay and needs careful removal.

P

Patina. The natural surface layer that develops on metals over time — most famously the green-brown coating on copper. Usually protective and often desirable rather than a defect.

Pressure washing. Cleaning with a high-pressure water stream. Effective on hard surfaces but capable of damaging siding, shingles and mortar. See pressure washing vs soft washing and surfaces that should not be pressure washed.

S

Seamless gutter. A gutter run formed on site from a single length of material with no joints along its length, reducing leak points. Most aluminum gutters are seamless.

Soffit. The horizontal panel that closes the underside of the roof overhang, spanning from the wall out to the fascia. It usually carries the vents that ventilate the attic. See soffit ventilation explained.

Soft washing. A low-pressure cleaning method that relies on specialized solutions rather than force to remove algae, mildew and grime. See how soft washing works.

Spark arrestor. A mesh screen, often built into a chimney cap, that stops burning embers from escaping the flue.

Splash block. A shaped tray placed under a downspout to spread and direct discharged water away from the foundation.

Stucco. A cement-based exterior wall finish applied in layers. Durable but prone to cracking and to holding growth in shaded areas. See stucco.

V

Verge. The sloping edge of a gabled roof where it overhangs the gable wall — the counterpart to the eaves along the slope. The board that finishes it is the bargeboard or vergeboard.

Vinyl siding. A common, low-maintenance plastic cladding. Easily cleaned but can warp under high heat or heavy pressure. See vinyl siding.

W

Weep hole. A small gap deliberately left in masonry (or built into a window frame) that lets trapped water drain out. Blocking weep holes traps moisture where it does damage.

Where to go next

If a term sent you here from another article, follow the link back once you have the definition. For the bigger picture, start with a homeowner's guide to gutters, a homeowner's guide to the roof edge, or a homeowner's guide to exterior cleaning — each pulls these terms together in context. To see how the parts interact, how the roof edge works together is a good next read.